PHILLIES UPDATETo the surprise of no one, Philadelphia is off to a strong start, winners in seven of its first nine games this season. The bigger surprise is how this team has won so far: with offense, not pitching. The Phillies' supposedly unstoppable rotation has combined to post a 4.74 ERA so far, with only Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt owning ERAs under 5.59. Not that anyone's seriously worried about this rotation over the long haul. Offensively, they haven't seemed to miss Jayson Werth (or injured second baseman Chase Utley) one bit. They lead the NL in batting average (.334), OBP (.380), slugging (.484) and OPS (.865) and every regular but Raul Ibanez is hitting over .300. And any fears of surviving with Brad Lidge on the DL have been assuaged thanks toRead more »

Traveler8: Halladay (0.69) and Oswalt (2.25) have each made two starts, so their stellar numbers help bring the overall rotation ERA down. Hamels (5.59) and Lee (7.84) have also made two starts a piece, but Blanton (14.54) has made only one entering tonight.

@Les in NCMichael Young's a starter, a durable one at that, and is earning $16MM with 2 years left on his contract. If Young is going to be moved, he's going to a contending team where he plays a critical role, not to the Nats where he is a one month starter.

Les:Really hope that doesn't happen. If this was August and we were in a playoff race (one can dream can't he?), then maybe renting an overpriced over the hill player might make sense but not now. We either bring up a youngster (Marrero, Brown, Bernadina) or maybe add Bixler to the 40 man roster but I am still pushing to bring up HRod and go with what we have.3B – Cora, Hairston, MorseSS – Desmond, Espinosa, Cora2B – Espinosa, Cora, Hairston1B – LaRoche, Morse, Pudge, Stairs, Not the greatest defensive team but most of these guys will make the average major league play.Go Nats! Hoping for 9-11 or better without Zimm

If LaRoche is hurt, makes more sense to bring up Bernadina since he doesn't cost a 40-man spot and we'd need Morse at 1B. Hairston's already splitting time at 3B now.Only bring up Bixler if Cora or he becomes 3B for a month. And then who do you cut off 40? Hyde?

Flores? Didn't see that coming.Mark, do you think the Nats might be able to swing a deal with the Cards for Broderick to open up space in the pen? When HRod arrives he seems the likely reliever to go, all things being equal.

Okay.. I don't know if you all have read the comments section on the Phillies site. But for the love of god some of those fans are just INSUFFERABLE! I can't wait until we can stuff some losses down their throats – Starting tonight!Go Nats!

@Anon 11:50I get the sarcasm and the tongue in cheek, I read through that, but the outright dismissal of anything that might be happening down here is what is grating. Like the comments about how our opening weekend attendance was down vs last year and that we would miss their money more than anything. And the lack of credit on developing a young core (at least one poster gave us credit on that)

PAY TO PLAY said… I would bring up Flores and Bernadina and HenRod and DFA Broderick and Stairs. Pudge can fill in at 1st base and take more reps there and Flores is a much needed power RH bat. Bernadina can play LF and Morse can play 3rd.When Zim comes back they can send Flores back down as he has options. April 11, 2011 5:17 PM So Bernadina wasn't available but I also picked Flores.What do I win?

Anyone else think that Zimmerman may be experiencing a sympathy illness. His good friend Adam Dunn is laid up with appendicitis and all of a sudden Zimmerman gets hurt. If King Rizzo had not let Dunn go it is probable that both men would be playing now and La Roche would be on somebody else's injury list.

I have to confess that when SteveM called me at 2 o'clock with the Ryan Zimmerman to the DL news he said he thought they would bring up the only RH power bat they could count on which was Jesus Flores and they were trying to get to Bernadina who is in Curacao so I really can't take the credit, I just kind of added to it.

joemktg, I was his proxy but I felt bad taking it as my own! Where is Stevie? He gets a lot of grief and he is almost always spot on. Like NatsJack and a few others, a real asset to my knowledge of the game.

Re: trading for Young. I am sure it doesn't happen. Texas wants real players or prospects, and his profile likely means contending team. Money is too large for contribution. But you have to know the actual cost before you say don't do it, right?SO… if the Nats could get him for mostly salary relief (meaning lower and more marginal prospects), why wouldn't it be a good deal? Or what if it was for Marquis plus they ate a good bit of salary? Opens a spot for Detwiler. Don't you have to think about that a little bit, at least? It is just money over the next couple of years that probably doesn't prevent them from adding anyone else. Short term relief for Zimm, hedge against lingering Zimm/Laroche injuries, and hedge against MI collapse/injury. Still a quality bat, and a potential pickup for NL move.Only reason I could think that you just absolutely don't want Young is if Riggs felt compelled to play him everyday at one of the MI positions.

Mark'd, if I had posted that Jesus Flores was being called up yesterday I would have been laughed at and heckled by the 3 guys that can't stand others being right or having the inside scoop or good insight. I'm not right all the time but I will stand by what I say and admit when I am wrong like Brian Broderick who I thought earned a roster spot and quickly has shown he doesn't belong. I told my buddy P2P and a few others to run with the Jesus Flores. No big deal at all, but I appreciate those who want to listen and hear others thoughts just like I do. I even listen to JayB although I don't agree with him most of the time he gives his own perspective and certainly puts himself out there with his opinions. I can take him anyday compared to Theophilus who stands on his perch and puts down those around him. This is by far the best Blog in DC and the place to come to discuss real Nats news, issues.

Kind of a strange time to trade Pudge, no major injuries to catchers around the league. He also probably has some type of no-trade clause in his contract. My thought is Flores will hold a seat on the bench for when Bernadina is available or in the instance Pudge/Ramos has to be used as a pinch-hitter. It is all guesswork at this point.

The price for Michael Young is reportedly too high … one team able to pay it? The Tampa Bay Rays. That comes from them through MLBTR.If Tampa Bay thinks the price is too high with their bevy of prospects? C'mon people!!!!!! Just think!Its one thing to give up prospects for a Grienke its auite another to give them up for an aging third baseman … if Rizzo did that I would be the first to scream bloody murder!

Since the MLB season consists of 162 games, it fits the rythym of a single game; That is 18 nine game segments. Here are my impressions of the Nationals through the 'top of the 1st'. – Starting pitching: A 2-3 W-L record over 50 1/3 IP, with a 2.0:1 K/W ratio, a .244 BAA, a 1.33WHIP, and a 4.29ERA, with 3 quality starts. Solid, but not thrilling. – Relief pitching: A 2-2 W-L in 33 1/3 IP, with 36 GA. Additionally, a 1.65:1 K/W ratio, 3 holds, 2 saves, 2 blown saves, a .231 BAA, 1.44 WHIP, 2.91 ERA. The game appearances (GA) are stacking up quickly, and could lead to some overuse issues later in the season. – Hitting: A .217/.321/.328 slash line overall; That's last in the NL in both BA & SLG, but mid-league in OBP; 2nd in the NL in total sacrifices. In a word – horrid. – Fielding: 14th in the NL in total chances, fewest DP's turned in the league, 13th in overall Fielding Pct, but 2nd in CS% (3 of 7 runners nailed). Better than the hitting, but not by much. Overall – 4-5 record to date. The pitching has been fairly solid, otherwise this team could easily be 2-7. Score = 0-0 through the top of one.